Ruy Maurity

Origin

Paraíba do Sul, RJ

Also known as

Rui Maurity de Paula Afonso, Rui Maurity

Years Active

1970–2022

Genres

rock rural, MPB, samba, música regional brasileira

Instruments

guitar, vocals, 12-string guitar

Biography

Ruy Maurity de Paula Afonso, known mononymously as Ruy Maurity, was a Brazilian singer, composer, and guitarist born on December 12, 1949, in Paraíba do Sul, Rio de Janeiro. He passed away on April 1, 2022, in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 72.

Maurity gained national recognition in the 1970s for his distinctive "rock rural" style, which often explored themes of the Brazilian countryside and nature. His music frequently incorporated influences from Afro-Brazilian religions like Umbanda and Candomblé, most notably in his hit song "Nem Ouro, Nem Prata." Other significant compositions include "Serafim e Seus Filhos," "Continente Perdido," "A Xepa," and "Batismo dos Bichos." His brother, Antonio Adolfo, is a renowned pianist and composer, and his mother was the first violinist in the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater Symphony Orchestra.

Maurity's career began in 1970 when he won the III Festival Universitário do Rio de Janeiro with the song "Dia Cinco," co-written with José Jorge. That same year, he released his debut LP, "Este é Rui Maurity." He continued to release albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Em Busca do Ouro" (1972), "Safra 74" (1974), "Nem Ouro, Nem Prata" (1976), "Ganga Brasil" (1977), "Bananeira Mangará" (1978), "Natureza" (1980), and "A Viola no Peito" (1984). Several of his songs were featured in the soundtracks of popular TV Globo telenovelas such as "Escalada," "Fogo sobre Terra," and "Dona Xepa." His composition "Estradas do Interior" was also part of the soundtrack for the TV Manchete novela "Ana Raio e Zé Trovão."

Discography

• Êste É Ruy Maurity (1970)
• Safra/74 (1973)
• Nem Ouro, nem Prata (1976)
• Ganga Brasil (1977)
• Bananeira Mangará (1978)
• Natureza (1980)
• A Viola No Peito (1984)
• De Coração (1998)